Incoming Gov. Rick Scott today announced his first two hires to head state agencies: Edwin Buss will take over the Florida Department of Corrections, leaving a similar job in Indiana, and Bryan Koon will head the state Division of Emergency Management. Koons was most recently director of emergency management for Walmart Stores Inc., according to a press release from Scott's transition team.

Living up to his outsider image and keeping in line with his plan to reduce wasteful spending, Governor-elect Rick Scott turned to a fellow Tallahassee outsider with a long and successful track record of improving agency operations while simultaneously lowering the burden placed on taxpayers to run the state’s prison system.

Gov.-elect Scott, who appointed Indiana Department of Correction Commissioner Edwin G. Buss to head the Florida Department of Corrections, said Florida was fortunate to land such an experienced reformer who was being coveted nationwide.

“I am grateful that Ed Buss is coming to Tallahassee to help me change the way the Department of Corrections does business here in Florida,” said Scott. “I know he is ready to get-to-work to ensure our prisons operate most efficiently and cost-effectively.”

Scott specifically highlighted Buss’s impressive credentials, which include drastically reducing wasteful spending across his state agency, negotiating the nation’s lowest medical per diem rate, and leveraging public/private partnerships to deliver heightened services at a fraction of the cost.

Scott also noted that Buss, who served as a key member of Governor Mitch Daniels’ cabinet, has proven his ability to successfully analyze an organization’s critical requirements, identify deficiencies and potential opportunities to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions to enhance government’s services.

Scott noted that under Buss’s leadership, Indiana found a way to house 40 percent more inmates without additional construction and at a dramatically lower cost per inmate.

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels also congratulated Governor-elect Rick Scott for his selection of Ed Buss to run Florida’s prison system.

“Given the transformation and pro-taxpayer improvements of the last few years, it was inevitable that other states would come after top talent like Ed Buss. He was actively pursued by several new governors. Congratulations to Governor-elect Scott for winning the sweepstakes," said Governor Daniels.

About Edwin G. Buss:

Buss brings to Florida nearly twenty-four years of hands-on experience in corrections, emergency response, public safety, supervision and budgeting. As Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Corrections and a key member of Governor Mitch Daniels’ cabinet, Buss was responsible for over 7,500 employees, 26,000 inmates, 10,000 parolees throughout the state’s corrections facilities. Prior to serving as Commissioner, Buss served as Superintendent of two Indiana prisons where he refined Death Row and execution procedures, implemented accountability metrics and implemented a safe prison initiative. Throughout his career, Buss has been successful in implementing innovative policies that improve operations while reducing wasteful spending.

Tallahassee, Fla. - Noting how a rapid, coordinated and proficient response to a natural disaster or other emergency can lessen the potential blow to the state’s fragile economy during an emergency, the Rick Scott Administration took another major stride forward today, appointing the Director of Emergency Management for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Bryan W. Koon, as the new Director of Emergency Management for the State of Florida.

The Governor-elect chose to make this one of his first agency head appointments to emphasize the importance of the office and its critical mission to protect the lives and property of every Floridian.

Governor-elect Scott said Koon’s experience leading Walmart’s Emergency Management efforts across the country and internationally, including preparedness, planning, operations, recovery, and mitigation would be a benefit to all Floridians before, during and after any potential crisis.

“I am both proud and honored Bryan has chosen to put his wealth of experience to work protecting and defending all Floridians and ensuring our State is prepared to tackle any emergency,” said Scott.

With the announcement of the appointment, Scott also announced his desire to seek transfer of the Division of Emergency Management into the Executive Office of the Governor. If approved, the move will create a direct reporting structure and enhance communication and cooperation across all federal, state and local entities involved in Florida’s disaster preparedness efforts and response.

“Preparing for and defending against natural disasters in Florida must and should be at the top of the priority list for any Administration,” said Scott. “This transfer will help cut bureaucratic red tape during emergencies and ensure the Director has full access and accountability to Florida’s CEO.”

About Bryan W. Koon:

Koon brings to Florida nearly twenty years’ experience managing tactical and strategic emergencies in the military, government and private sector. In his current role as Director of Emergency Management for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Koon is responsible for the emergency management operations of over 8,500 facilities worldwide. He is an acknowledged expert in the fields of emergency preparedness, disaster response, continuity of operations and continuity of government. Koon’s broad and varied experience includes several years in the White House Military Office where he developed, maintained and implemented high level, classified programs to ensure continuity of government and continuity of operations in the wake of a tactical or natural disaster. He also served the nation with distinction as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy, both active duty and in the Navy Reserve.

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